Exelon and United Way Stay in School Initiative 2011 Report Card

Posted: October 28th, 2011

Since 2005, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago (UWMC) and Exelon have partnered to deliver critical afterschool services to nine Chicago Public School grammar and high schools committed to keeping students on track for graduation, improving course grades, and building leadership and pro-social behaviors, which directly aligns with UWMC’s 10-year vision, LIVE UNITED 2020.

UWMC and Exelon created the Stay in School Initiative to bring new resources into communities which experience the highest dropout rates in the city. Stay in School offers a holistic menu of wrap-around services which draws in the students’ families, builds students’ academic and career skills with corporate mentors, and keeps them on track for graduation and college.

This Saturday, October 29, Exelon and UWMC will present the fifth annual Stay in School Report Card, which captures data from 330 core students who participate in the program.

– 93% of Stay in School seniors graduated from high school

– 84% of Stay in School students were promoted to the next grade

– 63% of Stay in School students improved at least one grade in core courses

– 78% of Stay in School students participated in postsecondary education activities

– 75% of Stay in School students participated in leadership-based activities

One of the strongest Stay in School Initiatives’ assets is the Saturday Mentoring Workshops Program. Exelon employees volunteer to teach seven basic workshop-style classes, such as understanding of business basics, secrets of networking, presentation and interviewing skills, which all take place at Exelon offices in Chicago.

Now reaching the sixth-year milestone, the Stay in School Initiative if following students into college and opening the networking session to alumni. So far, six college students have returned as peer mentors to illustrate the strong, long-term relationship this successful program achieves. Since its inception , the Stay in School Initiative has served more than 11,00 students, aged 13-20. During the 2011-12 school year, an additional 2,000 students will be served.